Brotherly Love: Cancer's Secret Angel Project
CHERRY HILL, NJ (CBS) -- For Cherry Hill's Jaime Rossano, moments with her son are a gift. On October 29, 2010, when she was just 27, she found out she had cancer. Her son, Ronnie, was only nineteen months old.
"My life flashed before my eyes, and I wasn't really sure what was going to happen to me, let alone to my son," she said.
Jaime went through a double mastectomy and 28 rounds of radiation. So far, she has had a clean bill of health. But her experience gave her an idea: Why not give cancer patients baskets filled with the little things that help? She called her project "Cancer's Secret Angel Project."
"There's comfy socks, because you really don't feel like getting dressed in the morning. Crossword puzzles, 'cause I spent hours in the doctor's offices. There's hats, because my head was always cold. There's tissues, because every time I went to chemo I cried," Jaime explained. "Pretty much anything that you know you would enjoy when you're not feeling so good."
People donate baskets and items. When they're wrapped up and ready, Jaime delivers them to individuals and hospitals.
Today, she was at Cancer Treatment Centers of America, delivering 67 baskets and bags.
"Oh look, all kinds of little goodies!" said Carolyn Murks.
"Perfect!" said Gus Derle as he held up a blanket.
When Charlie Crandall got a hat, he rubbed his bald head and joked, "I can use this, 'cause this here is getting kinda...ha ha!"
"I've had hugs and I've had tears," said Jaime.
"You are a special angel!" said one woman.
"I just want them to know that somebody else knows what they're going through," said Jaime.
Jaime is currently collecting donations for another round. Items she needs include toiletries, Post-its, blankets and socks. She could especially use items for men.
Cancer's Secret Angel Project can be found on Facebook here.
